INTRODUCTION
Introduction to the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA)
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organization that works as a solutions broker to catalyze action and support for adaptation solutions, from the international to the local, in partnership with the public and private sector, to ensure we learn from each other and work together for a climate resilient future. Adapting to impacts of climate change provides a “win-win” for livelihoods, food security, water supply, health, security, and economic growth. The work of the GCA elevates the visibility and political importance of climate adaptation and facilitates solutions, such as smarter investments, new technologies and better planning to become more resilient to climate related threats. GCA is a rapidly growing organization with offices in Abidjan, Beijing, Dhaka, Groningen, and Rotterdam.

The GCA’s ambitious 2020-2025 business plan and strategy have three pillars:

• Programs: Food Security; Using Nature for more resilient infrastructure; Water for Urban Growth and Resilience; Climate Finance; Youth Leadership.
• Knowledge: Building adaptation knowledge globally through cutting edge products such as the State and Trends in Adaptation Report and the Adaptation Knowledge Portal.
• Advocacy and Awareness: Formulating policy messages to move the global, regional, and local adaptation agendas forward.

Introduction to GCA’s Work on Locally Led Adaptation (LLA)
The impacts of climate change are most acutely felt by socially, economically, and politically disadvantaged and marginalized people and groups because of their higher vulnerability and lower adaptive capacity. Recognizing the highly localized nature of climate impacts; the importance of local adaptation action; the potential and creativity of communities to develop locally appropriate and innovative solutions; the ownership benefits of community-driven action; and the strong need for accountability to poor and marginalized communities affected by climate change, the GCA is strongly committed to addressing barriers to accelerating and scaling up LLA through the Global Hub on Locally Led Adaptation. The Hub aims to promote LLA at scale, with speed, to reduce climate risks for populations and sections of society that are most vulnerable to climate change. The activities of the Hub are guided by the eight Principles for Locally Led Adaptation.  

In addition to knowledge sharing, peer-to-peer learning and capacity strengthening, the Global Hub on LLA supports the development of People’s Adaptation Plans, based on the local contextualization of this Guide, as part of the GCA’s Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP). The Hub is currently supporting People’s Adaptation Plans in multiple countries across Africa and cities in Bangladesh. These Plans are produced by communities exposed to vulnerability, with facilitation by GCA partners, to inform investments by projects from International Financial Institutions (IFIs) such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, and Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank.

Purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP)
GCA is launching this RFP to solicit competitive proposals and select a Firm/Organization (hereto referred to as “Service Provider” or “Bidder”) to enter into a Framework Agreement. The selection process aims to ensure that the final selected Service Providers are of the highest caliber professionally, technically and ethically to implement and execute the necessary services.

Purpose and Duration
GCA intends to enter into a Framework Agreement for Technical Support for the Development of Women’s Adaptation Labs in Africa and Asia based on TOR included in this document. The agreement will be for an initial period of two (2) years, renewable for up to four (4) years subject to performance and availability of funds.
 
Financial Envelope and Work Orders
The maximum financial envelope for services is EUR 300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Euros). Work Orders will be issued using fixed prices from the Framework Agreement, with services provided on demand. Each assignment issued through a Work Order under the Framework Agreement is estimated at approximately EUR 50,000.

Scope of Services
The successful organization is expected to work in close collaboration with a local implementing partner, to provide the following key services:

• Develop a framework to contextualize and operationalize Women’s Adaptation Labs in three project countries in Africa and Asia.
• Support the local implementing partner in operationalizing the framework in project areas, including identification and/or formation of women’s groups; identification of technical experts; design and delivery of technical dialogues; and support on other implementation aspects as necessary.
• Design and delivery of capacity building modules for project implementation units to scale up the Labs in other project areas in each country, including through manuals and capacity building workshops.
• Support in formulating Women’s Adaptation Plans with costed priorities, to inform investments under linked projects.

Submission of the Proposal
If you are interested in participating in this Request for Proposal, you are requested to submit your proposal to the submission link: GCA-PR-24-647 – Technical Support for the Development of Women’s Adaptation Labs in Africa and Asia no later than 20 January 2025, 16:00:00 hours (04:00:00 p.m. o’clock), Central European Time (CET) (hereinafter referred to as “the closing date and time”).

Bidders are cautioned that the timing of submission is based on when the proposal is received by the GCA, not when a proposal is submitted by a bidder. As transmission can be delayed due to file transfer size, transmission speed or other technical factors, bidders should plan to submit proposals well in advance of the Submission Deadline to avoid submitting late due to technical issues. Bidders submitting near the Submission Deadline do so at their own risk.

Proposals received after the closing date and time will be rejected. GCA will confirm receipt of proposals within 24 hours from the closing date and time. Bidders that do not receive this confirmation must contact GCA within 48 hours from the closing date and time. After 48 hours from the closing date and time, GCA shall not respond to any queries related to whether a bidder’s proposal was received.

Please download the full RFP on this page for more information.